A sourcing specialist is an expert recruiter for job candidates. Her job is to find perfect candidates to fill positions based on the requirements set forth by a company's human resourcesmanager or by an employment agency manager. A specialist can be hired directly by a company or be contracted through an employment agency. Her success depends on her ability to find a candidate who matches specific experience and educational requirements at a salary and location agreeable to the employee and employer.

Before the age of technology, a sourcing specialist had to rely solely on newspapers, trade publications, and job or career fairs to find job candidates. The process was effective, but tedious and slow. For even the most common positions, the interviewing, job history verification, and hiring processes were often labor-intensive and frustrating.

The arrival of the Internet provided many advantages to make the job much easier. A recruiter can post jobs, review resumes, check references, and even conduct interviews without ever leaving her home or office. When not working at her desk, she has mobile devices that enable her to monitor works in progress. She can remotely communicate with job applicants and employers, as well as add, delete, update, or alter her own job postings.

Not only must a sourcing specialist shine in the area of communications, but her organizational skills must also be beyond reproach. She generally is constantly in touch with prospective candidates, human resource representatives, and referring sources. Her day normally includes many appointments and meetings, with time allowed for phone calls, texting, and e-mail correspondence.

Public relations are also a large part of the job. Strong community ties are helpful to keep up on local hiring trends and be informed of new company openings. Neighborhood job fairs, although not as popular as they once were, are still good places to build community relationships and make personal, face-to-face connections.

On the less social side of the job, she must educate herself on employment rules and regulations set forth by various government agencies in her area. Lack of compliance in any of these areas could result in legal problems or a tarnished professional image for her or her company. It is also important for a sourcing specialist to be aware of the demographics of the area in which she is recruiting to determine if qualified candidates are available or if she will be required to expand her search.

Many companies prefer a bachelor’s degree for these jobs. A successful and impressive background in sourcing and recruitment, however, can often substitute for this educational requirement. Continuing education while being employed is also a popular option.

Discuss this Article

nanny3Post 2

@dimpley - Hi! Becoming a procurement specialist, or a sourcing specialist, is a very doable endeavor. However, in order to really get a handle on how to get started you should first look specifically at the market area that you want to work in. You can find specific requirements and such by doing so. Also, you should know that global sourcing can have quite a bit to do with being a sourcing specialist. This is due to the fact that our world is getting smaller, and more folks are turning to a global marketplace to get their work done. The average annual salary is about $66,000. Keep in mind that there are those who make way more and those who make way less. Your experience, education and location will factor into this number. Cheers and good luck!

dimpleyPost 1

How would one go about getting their foot in the door in this particular realm of work? It sounds as if being a sourcing specialist would be a great opportunity for outgoing personalities and professionals who thrive on organization. Also, what is the average income for this vocation? Is global sourcing in any way related? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm seriously thinking about going into this!

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